Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Nigeria's Future

How do you see Nigeria developing in the next ten years (a) with and (b) without solutions to urban challenges? What kinds of solutions should be explored?

Monday, September 19, 2011

Chinese cities

Danwei may appear to be a particularly Chinese way of organising living and working space in an urban environment. However, villages in many other parts of the world were traditionally mapped out - deliberately or organically - in similar (though not the same) ways. In addition, many towns and cities were built around businesses, from car-manufacturing in the US to chocolate making in Dunedin (Cadbury). There is now interest in re-creating urban villages, with one recent example being the Transition Town movement. Do you think the danwei model is something non-Chinese cities could learn from, and what would the difficulties in pursuing danwei in a non-Chinese setting? (The hyperlink for danwei is to a book that gives a brief overview to refresh your memory as to what danwei are. I've also posted a paper on Cecil for you to have a look through).

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Samoa Tourism

You are a member of the Samoan Government and have been approached by an overseas investor interested in investing in tourism in Samoa. S/he is not a Samoan national but wishes to be involved in ecotourism. What you advise them in terms of the process and the issues to be aware of?